As i came out to get dressed, I groaned at the outfit that was on the Bed. A black lacy gown. Why can't people go to prom dressed in jeans and Tee? Who made these dumb rules anyway? Girls of my age might jump at the first opportunity to get dressed and go traipsing on the dance floor but I wasn't too thrilled.bet if you were in my place, you too wouldn't be. You wait the whole month for the hottest boy in the class to ask you out and you end up going with the nerd of the class at last, just because you want to save your face in front of your girl gang? Because you don't want to be alone when everyone is with their partners? Why Manyata? Why in the world did you say 'yes' to Akash? The boy with braces and ill fitting shoes. The nerd of the class whom no one spoke to. Just because you let him borrow your Math book doesn't mean he could ask you to prom. What does he think of himself!
I picked up the phone to say I'm cancelling out, but then stopped myself. Isn't it kinda too late? Prom is about to start in an hour..My mind reminded me. As if on cue the door bell sounded and I groaned again. Why does he have to be on time everytime? For crying out loud I wasn't even ready yet! Chill girlie..why are you so hyper? This is just for a night.. I told myself as I opened the door to let him in.
The king of Greek gods stood there, dressed in black tuxedo and a rose on his lapel. Maybe too much worrying went to my head and I'm imagining things, otherwise how could I see Udayveer in the place of Akash? Not possible. I shook my head and raised my eyes. He was still there. Go away stupid illusion! I muttered.
"Hi Manyata? Is your father home?" he said. The voice was unmistakable. I wasn't dreaming at all. That means..omg! Why did I have to choose this stupid Capri to wear? And this Mickey mouse printed Tee! My hair..less of hair and more of crow's nest!
He was staring at me doubtfully. Oh yeah he had asked me a question. Like a receptionist at the counter I said. "No..I'm afraid he went out just a while ago"
"oh cool..hmm can I get a glass of water?" he fumbled. Before I could say anything or jump out in happiness that my lucky stars had decided to bless me in the end, I saw him coming. My date for the night; Akash. Urghh!
I went and brought out a glass of water but only Akash was there. Where did Udayveer go?
"Why aren't you ready yet?, c'mon be fast" Akash said from under his braced teeth.
"Where is Udayveer?" did I sound too harsh..
"Don't know..Perhaps he was in a hurry..as soon as you turned, he left" Akash's teeth gleamed. Why can't you be the one who left? you idiot.
I got dressed in that horrid black dress a bit too quickly and did my hair in a coif. I didn't look at myself in the mirror. What for?
We set out for the venue in Akash's ancient gypsy that originally belonged to his grandfather. He drove like a snail and I suppressed the urge to jump off and run back home.
Aah..school at last. Akash got down first and offered me a hand to get down, which I refused. As we walked inside, the girl coming from the opposite side giggled on seeing us. I'm sure I wasn't looking that funny. Oh yeah I had failed to notice that Akash was wearing a green colored striped shirt with checkered pants. I was too lost in my day dreaming to notice him.
Can't I dig a hole in the ground and lose myself in it? No wonder Uday got disgusted and left. Okay what is done is done, but surely there must be a way out isn't it?
"let's go for a dance Manyata, I love dancing" Akash declared. "no, please you go ahead.." I mumbled.
"it's a couples night Manyata, you are my date for tonight..Come with me" he dragged my hand. I wanted to scream out asking who gave you the right to touch my hand. My stilettos were killing me and this Akash was going to give me a headache. At last I gave up and went, only to be left alone on the dance floor.
As soon as Akash got on the dance floor, the DJ might have guessed that here was a piece imported from Timbuktu. The song changed from slow romantic number to 'Chikni chameli'. Akash was so thrilled, he started his chicken dance. Raising his hands above his head and thrusting his pelvis forward. Everyone around us stopped dancing and began to watch him. Anyone in his place would have got embarrassed and stopped, but the jeers and hoots only encouraged him and he got even bolder. Dancing and singing loudly. Here I was forgotten and discarded. Shouldn't I be happy that I got a chance to head home at last? Why was I feeling furious instead?
I slowly backed off readying to head home and didn't notice someone had been watching me. "Where are you going? Why didn't you join him on the dance floor?" he laughed. 'Just because I have a bad crush on you doesn't mean i would listen to whatever you say,' I muttered under my breath.
He must have guessed that I was in need of some fresh air and he took my hand, we were headed towards the back exit. When he held my hand, I couldn't help but notice that my hand in his hand fit so perfectly. His hand was warm in a comfortable way and I clasped at it with all my might. Outside it was dark and slightly drizzling. There was a bench outside and he made me sit and he sat beside me. We remained quiet for a few seconds until we both spoke at same time.
"Good evening" I said awkwardly.
"aren't you feeling cold?" he said. "n-no, I'm ok" I said. Could it be that he was nervous as well? Why do I have to initiate the convo?
"im going to remove my shoes, do you mind?" I said not finding anything else to speak. "Of course do..you must be in so much pain, I'm sorry you had to endure that.." he laughed. He was referring to the spectacle on the dance floor perhaps. I wanted to be angry at him for laughing but couldn't find the right expression. I found myself laughing with him instead.
"It's alright…I'm done with proms altogether, next time I'm not coming" I said.
"Aren't you? But why? You have one more year left, don't you?" he pressed.
"Yes I do..But I'm better at home than end up being the laughing stock of the class" I scorned at the memory of it. Then I remembered lately what I should have remembered in the beginning. "Where is your date?" I asked.
"She ditched me" he made a face. Surely he was lying, wasn't he? Was there any girl in the class who would refuse 'Udayveer Singh' the hot dude?
"Why did she?" I asked.
"Because I got late and she got another guy for herself" was his reply.
I couldn't pity the unknown girl who had been such an idiot to refuse him for another guy. I in her place would have refused a date with Brad Pitt, if Udayveer had asked me.
"Stupid girl..how can she do that?" I expressed my anger at her, secretly thankful to her; otherwise would this evening be ever a reality?
"Then why did you?" he raised his eyebrows at me. What did he mean?
"Why can't you take a hint? Here I come all the way to your home to ask you out and you choose to go with a clown; now tell me who is stupid?" he pointed out.
"did you? Hmm..umm" my mouth went dry.
"Can I have the pleasure of a dance with you, young lady? He offered me his hand and I took it shyly.
He held me by the waist and we slow danced to imaginary music and of course the din of critters and crickets. The falling rain on our bodies only made the dance more beautiful. I didn't want to spoil the silence of the moment with words but I had to. "What would you have done if everything had gone right and Akash had insisted on my dancing with him?"
"I would have jumped in and snatched you from his hands and I know for sure that you wouldn't have minded" he winked at me.
"I'm sure about that too" I said.
"So Miss Manyata, would you go to next year's prom with me?" he asked.
"Yes, yes and Yes Mr. Udayveer" I said.
"Didn't you just say that you are done with proms altogether? Then why did you agree so fast?" he challenged.
"I had made up my mind, but a handsome hunk in black tux and eyes like sea, changed it" was my reply.
"Have I ever told you that I love you?" he asked.
"No you haven't" I said with mischief.
He leaned in my ears and whispered the three words that I had never thought I would hear from him.
"By the way, I love you too" I said circling my arms behind his neck.
Ok so i got a silly idea in my mind and within an hour i transformed it into an OS😆
Please 'like' and 'Comment'😳
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